Thirteen (1818)He [Moroni] said there was a book deposited written upon gold plates, giving
an account of the former inhabitants of this continent [America], and the
source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fullness of the
everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Saviour [sic] to
the ancient inhabitants.^39When it came time to make the account an official published history, Joseph had over
a decade of experience in giving the people what they wanted for their religion. He had
become very adroit at presenting the simple truths—that he hoped the people would receive
and embrace—hidden within the “stumbling blocks” that he was mandated to create for
them while performing his role as the “latter-day Moses.” Joseph knew that the people
weren’t one bit interested in “the fullness of the everlasting Gospel [that] was contained in
it, as delivered by the Savior.” The people wanted their religion and ordinances. They were
more concerned about the conversion of the Jews^40 and the “latter-day” significance of the
earthquakes^41 that were being reported around the world than they were about living the
“everlasting gospel.”
“Vision” or “Visitation?”—the Power of One Word Known Only to a True Messenger
The original publication of Joseph’s account of the so-called “First Vision” in 1842,
and even the late report given in the Deseret News^42 (May 29, 1852), referred to this event of
singular importance to the LDS/Mormons as none other than the “first visitation” (“I
received the first visitation...”).^43 This is the term by which it will be officially referred to
in this authorized and official biography. It was not until sometime later in the History of the
Church (otherwise referred to as the Documentary History of the Church [DHC]) that the
wording was changed to read, “I received my first vision....”^44 One might question the basis
for this dramatic revision.
The implications of a “visitation” vary substantially from that of a “vision.” The
former has the inference of reality, while the latter refers to something seen in the mind or
otherwise intangible to that which is “real.” There is no possibility that use of the term
“vision” could infer anything other than an intangible event, whereas a “visitation” (as
spoken in the “king’s English”) can be an event wherein physical beings meet physically
with each other.
In making this change and in having it stick through the years, the LDS have
irreversibly committed themselves to their own lack of credibility concerning the very nature
of this event. In altering reference of the “first visitation” to a “vision,” they transformed it
from something real to the kind of reality that brought them to accept Brigham Young as their
leader (i.e., the “vision” or “mantle” of Joseph appearing on Brigham as he spoke in
Conference on August 8, 1844).^45
It was a mistake that exposes the complete lack of understanding of how all true
messengers actually receive intelligence from advanced human beings. The mistake was
and is made by a religion that compels all members-in-good-standing to accept their First
Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles as “prophets, seers, and revelators,” who
receive guidance only in their minds as “revelation” or “inspiration.” Obviously, none of the
LDS/Mormons or any of the offshoots since Joseph Smith has had any communication with
advanced beings through an actual, physical visitation by which they could be brought to
comprehend their error—until now.